Dosage & Route

ADULTS

Maintenance therapy: 1.25–20 mg/day PO given as a single dose or in divided doses. Increase in increments of no more than 2.5 mg at weekly intervals based on patient’s blood glucose response (DiaBeta, Micronase); 0.75–12 mg/day PO (Glynase).

PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Safety and efficacy not established.

GERIATRIC PATIENTS

Geriatric patients tend to be more sensitive to the drug; start with initial dose of 1.25 mg/day PO (DiaBeta, Micronase) 0.75 mg/day PO (Glynase). Monitor for 24 hr, and gradually increase dose after at least 1 wk as needed.

Therapeutic actions

Stimulates insulin release from functioning beta cells in the pancreas; may improve binding between insulin and insulin receptors or increase the number of insulin receptors; more potent in effect than first-generation sulfonylureas.

Indications

Adjunct to diet to lower blood glucose with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Adjunct to metformin when adequate results are not achieved with either drug alone

Adjunct to insulin therapy in the stabilization of certain cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus, reducing the insulin requirement, and decreasing the chance of hypoglycemic reactions